Niwot High School Boys basketball suffers 3rd straight loss

Niwot High School boys basketball faced off against both the Riverdale Ridge Ravens and the Severance Silver Knights this week, losing both games, 71-45 and 66-45, respectively. Scoring 45 points in both games ties for a season low in points scored, while the defense gave up the second and third most points in a game all season (behind 84 points allowed in a win against Denver North).

In Niwot's game against Riverdale Ridge, the Cougars were slow to start, scoring just five points in the first quarter, a season low in a single quarter, creating a big gap for Niwot to catch up to the Ravens' 15 points. The game continued at this pace throughout with Riverdale's 24-point final quarter propelling them past Niwot.

Sophomore Jack Jarvis and Senior Jerek Funkhouser continued to lead in scoring, with 10 and 13 points, respectively. With Niwot scoring only 45 points, Jarvis and Funkhouser had over half of the team's points (23).

Zachary Dawson and Drew Buckingham led the team in rebounds (9 and 7), creating a solid offense and defense for Niwot. Niwot's 26 turnovers and 17 personal fouls ended up costing Niwot, but the Ravens' 5-2 record shows that a loss to them doesn't require a major review of the season.

Niwot's second game of the week came against the Severance Silver Knights, but when the Cougars were down eight points starting the 4th quarter, they only mustered four more points, a new low in a single quarter, losing the game 66-45. Niwot looked much stronger defensively, with a more evenly distributed spread of points than in the previous game. Offensively, they were consistent with three quarters of average play, until the one disappointing quarter.

Jarvis and Funkhouser once again topped the scoreboard with 14 and 16 points, respectively. Their combined 30 points constituted 66% of the team's total, with Jarvis's five assists accounting for 100% of the team's total assists. Javis also added three steals, with the team totaling seven.

Jackson Carnano (6) and Drew Buckingham (4) led the team in rebounds, accounting for 10 out of the team total of 17. Niwot reduced their turnovers and personal fouls, 12 and 10 respectively, but failed to win due a poor field goal shooting percentage of only 34%. Severance, also 5-2 on the year, isn't a bad team to fall to, but the Cougars' strong start to the season is now offset by a 3-game losing streak.

There are 14 games left in the season so there is a lot of time to improve Niwot's record. Niwot's last game of 2022 is Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. against local rival Longmont High School at home.